An Early Syriac Lectionary (Burkitt)

This extraordinary East Syrian lectionary dates to the 6th century AD. It bears a remarkable resemblance to the Armenian (see on this site those of Conybeare and especially Renoux) and Georgian lectionaries.

For more information, see: F. C. Burkitt, The Early Syriac Lectionary System. London: The British Academy/Oxford University Press, 1923.

Note: “al:” indicates that the indicated Psalm is sung as an Alleluia Psalm. Although Burkitt notes that he has utilized the English Revised Version, it appears that the Psalm citations are according to the Septuagint numbering.

Rubric

OT

NT (sometimes w/Pss)

[several folios missing]

[Heb 1.1]-2.4 or Gal 4.1-5.10; Ps 110; Lk 2.1-20

Ephiphany of our Lord, 6 Jan: in the evening of the Vigil of the same:

Lesson read on the evening of Thursday itself as it dawns into Friday, after the Supper, in the first service; at the beginning of this service they say this respond: “My enemies have said evil against me” (Ps 41.5a)

“On the 7th of May, on the day that the Holy Cross was seen in the heavens by blessed Constantine, the believing King, from the third hour of the day to the sixth hour, on this same day therefore was this commemoration of the Holy Cross, and these lessons are read in it:”